Temperatures in Southern California are set to soar on Monday, with many areas experiencing what could be the hottest day of the year so far. Cities like Burbank and Santa Clarita are expected to see highs of 90 degrees, while downtown Los Angeles will reach around 87 degrees. Woodland Hills could even hit 95 degrees, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
However, this brief heatwave will not last long. After a warm Monday, temperatures are forecast to drop a few degrees on Tuesday and then plummet significantly on Wednesday as a cooling pattern moves in. For instance, Woodland Hills will see a drop from 95 degrees on Monday to 90 on Tuesday, before falling to 75 degrees by Wednesday.
Some areas in the San Fernando Valley may even break historical temperature records. The highest temperature recorded for March 24 in Woodland Hills was 89 degrees back in 1988. This year, it looks likely that this record could be surpassed. Lancaster and Palmdale, which reached 86 and 84 degrees respectively in 1956, are also on track to possibly exceed those marks.
While the coast will be slightly warmer than usual, with temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s, the heat is not indicative of an early summer. According to Lewis, this warm spell is just a temporary shift, and cooler weather will return soon.
Looking ahead, there are hints of possible rain in early April, although the exact timing is still unclear. Despite some recent rainfall, many areas in Southern California remain in severe or extreme drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that precipitation levels are still well below average for this time of year, particularly in coastal regions where rainfall is about 40% to 60% of what is typical.
As the region continues to grapple with drought, the upcoming weather changes may bring some relief, but experts warn that long-term predictions suggest April may not provide enough rainfall to alleviate the ongoing water supply issues.